5 Ways to Succeed with an Inflexible Pigheaded Boss
Small adjustments create drama for bosses and team members who find security in predictability.
Rigid people expect others to adapt to them. Change sends them off the deep end.
If you’re flexible, rigid people seem pigheaded, narrow minded, and self-centered. Why can’t everyone be flexible like you?
Rigid people drive the train:
If you have an inflexible boss or team member, they always drive the train.
- Fear of offending them controls interactions.
- Tough conversations always go one way. Everything is about winning or losing.
- Violating the “rules” is a capital offense. Throwing people under the bus may become a means of control.
Change, innovation, and progress slow to a snail’s pace when rigid people drive the train.
Stability:
Stability is the advantage of rigidity.
Organizations need rigid people even if some think they’re evil. You don’t need the dark-side of their strength. But without them, inconsistency escalates into instability.
Sure, they stress themselves and others. They complain about missed commons. But, they’re great at following procedures and delivering consistent results.
Inflexible people love systems that prevent failure.
Navigation tips:
What if your boss is inflexible?
- Adapt to them. They won’t adapt to you. No one likes to be changed – especially an inflexible boss. They’ll lash out like caged animals if you pressure them.
- Admire their strengths and say so. Say, “Your personal consistency brings stability and consistency to our organization.”
- Accept, embrace, and answer their discomforts or fears. Telling them that things will work out drives rigid people crazy.
- Prepare them for change. Don’t surprise them. Discuss problems before solutions.
- Establish rituals and routines. Don’t add stress to their stressful lives.
What suggestions do you have for navigating an inflexible boss or teammate?
6. Update your resume and leave.
One can always vote with one’s feet! But sometimes, we stubbornly try to resolve things. Perspective is VERY useful — does anyone else get along with that BOSS and what are they doing differently. (Similarly, BOSS spelled backwards is self-explanatory.)
Thanks Dr. Scott. Glad you brought your insights.
Do others get along with the boss? … Brilliant!
Indeed, but I wonder how many newly graduated hires will tolerate a “Pigheaded Boss?” The age of the so-called company man/woman employee is drawing to a close. Estimates indicate newly graduated hires will have between 5 and 10 jobs before they are 40.
Thanks Jim!!
Good one, Dan. And one would expect this will resonate with many of your readers.
Understand that Inflexibility IS a strength, it is just that it takes firmness and steadiness to a whole new level of weakness. Getting inflexible leaders to “back off” is a key, and that is impacted by a lot of factors, some of which are manageable, as you point out.
The other thought that comes to mind is an old quote, “Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and just annoys the pig.”
On the other hand inflexibility is NOT absolute and there is always SOME flexibility in there. Plus, “Trust is the residue of promises fulfilled (Frank Navran)” so one builds it up carefully over time like the ring on a bathtub. (Yeah, that brings up a bunch of OTHER analogies (grin) ()
So incremental increases in flexibility are the issue of continuous continuous improvement. (From the Department of Redundancy Department.) You CAN get people who appear inflexible to be less inflexible.
Remember that, “Caterpillars can fly, if they just lighten up.” (Hey, that quote is mine!). And also remember to have FUN out there; you can always find another job with someone who is probably less ot a butthead.
Thanks Dr. Scott. It’s worthwhile to see the advantages of inflexibility. You don’t want a leader who changes with every little breeze.
I get the feel of staying positive if you have an inflexible boss. Frankly, it doesn’t do much good to antagonize a stubborn person. 🙂 cheers
Dan, Good post and relevant comments as well, especially from Dr. Simmerman. I have had my share of rigid bosses and clients. I used to get frustrated, but now just treat their habits as part of the journey — like an obstacle course in the game. I play the game, with the end up game in mind: to serve the customer. Of course, once it goes beyond one’s limits, one should leave.
Thanks Niraj. Yes..the obstacle course illustration really helps. Navigate the obstacles. Keep aiming for the goal. Very helpful
Jon Acuff made a great point in his book, Recuse Monday. His position is when you have an inflexible boss do better work. Do the work they are expecting you to do. Make their life easier, be a better employee. It can make a bad situation tolerable or maybe even okay.
Thanks Dana. That Jon is a smart boy.
Never let someone else be the reason you do poor work or don’t bring your best. In the end, we’re all smaller than the people we use as excuses.
Work somewhere else because that boss isn’t a leader he’s Hitler and that’s called a dictator. You’ll be happier somewhere else and won’t have a heart attack at 50.
Thank you for always sharing your honest insight and tips. It is rather refreshing!